Sleep Apnea

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What is Sleep Apnea?

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing
is temporarily interrupted while you sleep. It may last only a couple of seconds
or up to several minutes. A snorting or choking sound indicates that you’ve
begun to breathe again. Sleep apnea can increase your risk of a variety of
health problems and contributes to daytime sleepiness.

Click through the slideshow to learn more
about how to manage the condition.

Treatment Through Lifestyle Adjustment

Treatment Through Lifestyle Adjustment

Managing sleep apnea may not be as difficult
as you might think. Sometimes, just maintaining your weight or changing your
sleeping position can be the key to eliminating apnea.

According to the American
Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), being overweight or
obese are risk factors for the condition. This is because people who weigh
significantly more than their ideal body weight are more likely to have excess
tissue at the back of the throat.

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Weight Loss

Weight Loss

The ASAA states that around 70 percent of
those with sleep apnea need to lose weight. When excess tissue blocks your
airways, it causes you to snore as you sleep and sometimes to stop breathing.

Losing weight can shrink or redistribute the
obstructive tissue, providing a solution to apnea. Although there haven’t been
many formal studies of the effectiveness of weight loss for sleep apnea, many
physicians report improvements in patients who lose weight.

Sleeping Positions

Sleeping Positions

Sleeping on your back allows the tissues in
your throat to obstruct your airways more easily than when you lie in other
positions. Try sleeping on your side or stomach to determine if your sleeping
position is the cause.

If you can’t trust yourself to stay in the
position during the night, attach a tennis ball to the back of your pajamas to
prevent you from rolling onto your back.

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Medical Treatment

Medical Treatment

If you don’t have luck treating your
condition through lifestyle changes, medical treatment for sleep apnea can be very
effective. Continuous positive air pressure therapy (CPAP) is first-line
treatment for sleep apnea.

In CPAP, air is delivered to your nose and
mouth through a mask. The pressure of the air keeps your airways from
collapsing and becoming blocked.

Other Options

Other Options

Your doctor can help determine how best to
approach your apnea. Wearing an oral guard, similar to a sports mouth guard,
may be an option to help reposition the tongue and lower jaw. A dentist who
specializes in sleep medicine will need to fit you for a dental appliance for
sleep apnea. Your doctor may also recommend upper airway surgery to remove
tissue in the airway.

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Healthy Habits

Healthy Habits

Avoiding two vices can help with sleep apnea and
improve your general health, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Alcohol can
cause you to wake up frequently throughout the night, and can cause the
breathing muscles in your upper airway to relax, both of which can trigger
sleep apnea.

Smoking cigarettes also worsens upper-airway
swelling, which can worsen both snoring and apnea.

Importance of Continued Treatment

Importance of Continued Treatment

Untreated sleep
apnea can lead to a number of other health problems, some of which could be life
threatening. These include:

disturbed sleep or
excessive sleepiness during the day

high blood pressure

heart attack or
stroke

congestive heart
failure or cardiac arrhythmia

depression

Therefore, it’s important to see your doctor if you believe you may have
sleep apnea—and to continue following any treatment plans that your doctor
recommends for your condition.

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Prioritize Healthy Sleep

Prioritize Healthy Sleep

Getting enough sleep is critical. If you suffer from sleep apnea, stick
to your treatment method and stay healthy. Ask your doctor for guidance with
treatment options if you have insomnia symptoms, including difficulty falling
or staying asleep or waking up not feeling refreshed.

Continuous management is the key to reducing episodes, maintaining your
health, and feeling more rested.